Published: Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 6:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 6:18 p.m.

Leland's Town Hall won't be completed until right before the new year if construction remains on schedule, according to town officials.

The building was originally slated for a summer completion date, but that was pushed into the fall.

Though the delays have cost the town money, town officials say the costs are minimal in the overall scope of the project. And they are adamant that the concern remains the quality of work at the building and not the speed. The expected completion date is Dec. 29.

"That's one thing in delays," said Mayor Brenda Bozeman. "You want it done right. You don't want them to rush."

One extra cost in August was leasing the current building for the Leland Police Department, which is located less than half a mile west of the current town hall building.

The rent on the building costs the town $2,500 a month, and Town Attorney David Hollis said the lease was renewed through January.

Sgt. Davis McGowan, the police spokesman, said the officers can't miss what they don't have.

"As far as the building we are in, we're comfortable and feel accommodated," he said.

When finished, the new Town Hall will have an entire wing dedicated to the police department, McGowan said.

"It will allow us greater functionality, and everyone can kind of be more in touch with each other at the Town Hall and police department," he said. "It's a morale booster when you see each other."

Hollis said there have been extra costs because of delays in getting structural materials and audiovisual equipment. The total cost was about $25,000.

To date, the total cost of the building is about $9.2 million, Hollis said. He added he doesn't expect many more delays and the contractor is optimistic about the new completion date.

"It looks good, and they are doing good-quality work," Hollis said. "But there are always little issues here and there."

If the contractor does not finish by Dec. 29, the town can assess a $500-a-day charge for liquidated damages. All the recent delays with materials were allowed within the contract, Hollis said.

<p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a>'s Town Hall won't be completed until right before the new year if construction remains on schedule, according to town officials.</p><p>The building was originally slated for a summer completion date, but that was pushed into the fall. </p><p>Though the delays have cost the town money, town officials say the costs are minimal in the overall scope of the project. And they are adamant that the concern remains the quality of work at the building and not the speed. The expected completion date is Dec. 29.</p><p>"That's one thing in delays," said Mayor Brenda Bozeman. "You want it done right. You don't want them to rush."</p><p>One extra cost in August was leasing the current building for the Leland Police Department, which is located less than half a mile west of the current town hall building.</p><p>The rent on the building costs the town $2,500 a month, and Town Attorney David Hollis said the lease was renewed through January.</p><p>Sgt. Davis McGowan, the police spokesman, said the officers can't miss what they don't have.</p><p>"As far as the building we are in, we're comfortable and feel accommodated," he said.</p><p>When finished, the new Town Hall will have an entire wing dedicated to the police department, McGowan said.</p><p>"It will allow us greater functionality, and everyone can kind of be more in touch with each other at the Town Hall and police department," he said. "It's a morale booster when you see each other."</p><p>Hollis said there have been extra costs because of delays in getting structural materials and audiovisual equipment. The total cost was about $25,000.</p><p>To date, the total cost of the building is about $9.2 million, Hollis said. He added he doesn't expect many more delays and the contractor is optimistic about the new completion date.</p><p>"It looks good, and they are doing good-quality work," Hollis said. "But there are always little issues here and there."</p><p>If the contractor does not finish by Dec. 29, the town can assess a $500-a-day charge for liquidated damages. All the recent delays with materials were allowed within the contract, Hollis said.</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9907"><b>Jason Gonzales</b></a>: 343-2075</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNews_Jason</p>